As February drew to a close, young athletes at Stanley Switlik Elementary completed the school’s inaugural kickball tournament. Led by Switlik’s health and wellness coordinator Bill Eller, and fueled by some friendly rivalry, fourth- and fifth-graders spent the final weeks of the month learning the game and competing in a double-elimination tournament during recess.
When the brackets were completed, the school crowned its first victors: Stacie Gonzalez’s fourth-grade class and Kaia Miller’s fifth-graders.
“The tournament has been a fun way to teach teamwork, school spirit and good sportsmanship among the students – as well as some innocent competition and banter among teachers,” Miller told the Weekly via email.
“There’s no better feeling than watching children learn and seeing the knowledge you’ve given them put into action,” said Eller, who reportedly didn’t shy away from his own “stir-the-pot” tactics with students’ competitive juices throughout the tournament. “That’s the benefit of teaching a sport; we get to physically see their development. I am so proud of these kids.”
“Next year, third grade will also be included as we see which classes come out on top,” said Miller.
